The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has stated that the reality show Bigg Boss has insulted Marathi Manoos, with contestants Shakti Kapoor and Siddharth Bhardwaj nicknaming Housemate Amar Upadhyay as ‘P.K. Lele’, a Maharashtrian surname on the show.

In an episode telecast this weekend, Amar Upadhyay, on failing to successfully finish a task given by Bigg Boss, was deputed as a ‘personal servant’ for Shakti Kapoor and Siddharth Bhardwaj, who are seen to have a grudge and dislike for him on the show. After much deliberation, and coming up with funny names like ‘D.K. Bose’, Shakti and Siddharth mischievously named him ‘P.K. Lele’, with Shakti claiming that it was the name of a character he had played in one of his films starring Sanjay Dutt.

Speaking to reporters, MNS leader Raj Thackeray has demanded an immediate apology. “Kapoor and Bhardwaj should apologize to the Marathi-speaking population for the insult. Just because Lele is a Maharashtrian surname, does it mean all servants are Maharashtrians,” he questioned. “They (Kapoor and Bhardwaj) should apologize for the same within 24 hours or they will have to face the consequences,” he warned.

Reacting to the MNS supremo’s statement, Amar Upadhyay’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar said, “Obviously, when Shaktiji and Siddharth named Amar ‘P.K. Lele’, their intentions were to poke fun at him, especially as the name also has a double meaning.”

“However, with due respect to Maharashtrians, the name was given in jest and as part of a Bigg Boss task given to Shaktiji and Siddharth. Though they are targeting a helpless Amar, it’s a game and Amar has taken it sportingly,” Dale added, evading the controversy about the ‘insult’ and ‘apology’.